The recession continued to affect how much Americans gave to charity last year, and the triple whammy of Superstorm Sandy, a national election and the looming fiscal cliff may cut how much we donate in the crucial final month of 2012, experts say.

Last week, the state began allowing homeowners back on New Jersey’s destroyed barrier islands to do cleanup on their homes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The strict curfews are likely to continue for some time, with the gas company predicting that its service would not be functioning in Seaside Park until the end of December.

When Superstorm Sandy cut a swath of destruction along the New Jersey coastline it left tens of thousands of people homeless or without power and heat. Within 72 hours, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief was serving 170,000 meals a day -- the beginning of a huge effort that would eventually mobilize all of the group’s large capacity mobile kitchens east of the Rocky Mountains.

Utility companies are scrambling to restore power as colder temperatures bring further challenges to victims and humanitarian groups are working to provide aid to those impacted by the worst storm to hit the Northeast in 100 years.

Lucy Walkowiak leapt to action as soon as the hurricane subsided and she knew her family was the only block in her town that had power. Her incredible act of love and compassion affected many people in need.